Race Weekend Central

Friday Faceoff: What Do You Make of Todd Gilliland’s Post-Race Outburst?

2019 Martinsville Mencs Martin Truex, Jr. Burnout Cck

(Photo: Christian Koelle)

The Martinsville Speedway races in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series this year were completely dominated in a manner never seen before. What, if anything, should NASCAR do to alleviate the dominance? Brian Keith: NASCAR’s intent was sound in keeping packages as uniform as possible, given that the Gen-6 car is on its way out the …

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Kevin Harvick Penalty Sets Stage for Classic Comeback or Championship Black Cloud

2018 Cup Martinsville Zach Catanzareti Kevin Harvick

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

With Kevin Harvick and the No. 4 SHR team saddled with a wallop of a 40-point fine, loss of his pass to the final four, and suspension of his crew chief Rodney Childers for the final two races, following R&D inspection after their Texas win, the refrain from the NASCAR fan base has had a …

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Chad Knaus & Jimmie Johnson: Where Do They Rank Among NASCAR’s Memorable Pairings?

2018 Cup Dover Zach Catanzareti Jimmie Johnson Chad Knaus

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

The collective NASCAR world was left mouth agape Wednesday, Oct. 10, when it was announced that Chad Knaus will not return as Jimmie Johnson’s crew chief in 2019. The dynamic duo that has been together since Johnson’s rookie season in 2002, and after a record-tying seven championships the pair will call it quits after Homestead-Miami …

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Voice of Vito: Recent NASCAR Retirements Paving a Shortcut for Careers

2018 Pocono Cup Zach Catanzareti Matt Kenseth

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Kasey Kahne unexpectedly send out his Dear John letter to the racing world on Thursday (Aug. 16), announcing his retirement from the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series at the end of 2018. After 15 seasons, one of the original young guns of the early-2000s NASCAR youth movement is calling it a career at the ripe …

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Talk Dirt-y to Me: Pros & Cons of Expanding Eldora Dirt Derby

Nascar Camping World Truck Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Anybody watch any good races this week? Following the sixth installment of Tony Stewart’s salute to sediment, the racing world, fans particularly, are clamoring for an expansion of the midweek, new summer classic at Eldora Speedway. What started as a novelty event when Stewart acquired the facility back in 2008 has established itself as one …

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Voice of Vito: How Much Is Enough? Brands, Fans & Rules Packages Under the Microscope

#4: Kevin Harvick, Stewart Haas Racing, Ford Fusion Jimmy John's, #11: Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Camry Fedex Express, #3: Austin Dillon, Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet Camaro Dow Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

There seems to be a bit of hand-wringing as of late over not just the state of NASCAR from a fan perspective, but also from a competitive standpoint. The talk dominating the airwaves and social media circles (aside from vacation vids) the past few days has run the gamut from questioning the talent level at …

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The Class of 1993: Latest NASCAR Hall of Fame Group Forever Linked by Unforgettable Season

Jeff Gordon, one of just two drivers to capture the sport's Winston Million. (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

Not all NASCAR Hall of Fame class selections are easy ones. A fan favorite or forgotten pioneer always gets left off, and feelings of resentment result. Many take it as a personal insult and affront if their favorite driver, crew chief or commentator isn’t enshrined in a timely manner. And to think some say nobody …

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Bayne of His Existence: Does Matt Kenseth’s Arrival Translate to Trevor Bayne’s Imminent Demise?

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

Might Trevor Bayne's six become nine? (Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

“Were you expecting somebody else?” As Mark Martin took to the podium Wednesday at the NASCAR Hall of Fame to introduce the next driver of the flagship No. 6 Ford for Roush Fenway Racing, rumors ran rampant over what the actual nature of this announcement would be. Was there a shakeup coming at Roush Fenway? …

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Voice of Vito: NASCAR Ups & Downs in the Off-Week

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

Heading into the Easter weekend break, there are a number of notable items that are ripe for discussion at this point in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season: who’s hot, who’s not, the usual state of the sport hand-wringing that has become en vogue the past few (well, several) seasons, and what we can …

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Making Sense of Fuzzy Math, Rigged Roofs, and the 48’s Folly

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/ NKP)

Making Sense of Series Stats With Kevin Harvick’s win Sunday in Las Vegas, his career total of NASCAR wins reached a milestone mark of 100 wins. As a result, the graphs touting the win total along with Kyle Busch at 184, compared to Richard Petty’s 200 Cup Series wins and David Pearson’s 105 wins started …

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Voice Of Vito: Can Dale Earnhardt Jr. Dominate One Last Time At ‘Dega?

2017 Atlanta Cup Dale Earnhardt Jr Car Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

Consistency or Conspiracy with NASCAR No-Call? Heading into Talladega this weekend, there are three big storylines: the last ride for Dale Earnhardt Jr. at his most successful track, can Ricky Stenhouse Jr. sweep Talladega and make it into the next round of the playoffs, and is there an underdog who can come from relative obscurity …

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Voice of Vito: Reflections on Richmond, Sponsor Drama & Danica Patrick’s Future

Darlington Cup 2017 Martin Truex Jr Throwback Mike Neff

(Photo: Mike Neff)

If you were looking for some late-season NASCAR drama, you got it dumped over your head in bucketfuls this week. From ambulances gone awry to calling out the sanctioning body for the timing of caution flags to CEOs spouting off about the icon of icons in motorsports, it was the type of perpetuating storyline that …

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